Nelie, I share your interest in this. My jaw moves very, very little. I have just enough room to fit in the upper denture (substantially modified) and really wish I could open much wider. My docs have told me that the issue isn't just the scarring in the joint and tendons, but that the muscles themselves have been permanently alterd. One doc used this metaphor: Prior to radiation the muscles are like rubber bands. After, they are like shoe leather. For this reason they counseled me against a surgical repair because even if loosened, the muscles responsible for jaw movement have been altered, and there would be some risk of 'slack jaw' - being unable to comfortably keep my jaw closed when those muscles were at rest.

One doc suggested that jaw muscle stretching and regular exercises would restore more freedom of movement and that process would not risk the 'slack jaw' side effect. Physical therapy was recommended. I did a bit of it, and it really helped. My insurance pooped out on it so I quit going, but I would love to go back for more. Maybe my rich uncle will leave me some.... Probly no. I'll be interested to hear of your decisons and progress my friend. My thoughts and heart are with you, Tom J